Have you ever encountered the Google Search Console status “Duplicate, Google chose different canonical than user”? This issue occurs when Google selects a different URL to index than the one chosen by the user. It often arises when Google finds multiple pieces of similar or identical content on a website.
This problem will be highlighted in the Page Indexing report within Google Search Console. Here’s how it typically appears:
Upon inspecting one of our affected pages, I noticed that the content had not been translated into other languages yet. This delay in our translation process was causing the issue to persist across multiple pages. Let’s delve into the causes of this issue and how to rectify it.
Understanding the Causes of “Duplicate, Google Chose Different Canonical than User”
There are several factors that could lead to a page being marked with this issue. One common reason is the presence of duplicate or similar content on the website. In fact, approximately 60% of web content is considered duplicate according to Google’s Gary Illyes.
Google typically selects one main version of a page to index and creates records of alternate versions. The canonical link element, among other signals, dictates which version should be indexed. However, discrepancies in canonical URLs can result in pages being flagged as duplicates with the error message “Duplicate, Google chose a different canonical than user.”
Issues may also arise due to canonical tag mistakes, rendering problems with JavaScript websites, or canonicalization errors such as chains or loops. Identifying and resolving these issues is crucial to ensure the correct indexing and ranking of your pages.
Resolving the “Duplicate, Google Chose Different Canonical than User” Issue
The approach to fixing this issue will vary based on the specific cause affecting your pages. For instances of duplicate content, strive to make the content more unique and distinct. This could involve enhancing the uniqueness of boilerplate content or resolving translation delays.
If canonicalization issues are at play, addressing canonical chains or loops, refining canonical tags, or implementing redirects can help consolidate page versions effectively. For rendering issues, consider deploying a pre-rendering or server-side rendering solution to render unique content on each page.
Final Thoughts
While encountering the “Duplicate, Google Chose Different Canonical than User” issue can be concerning, understanding its causes and implementing the appropriate fixes can help maintain a clean and optimized index for your website. Should you have any queries or need further assistance, feel free to reach out to me on Twitter or LinkedIn.